Taylor returns to Black Caps

FORMER captain Ross Taylor has rejoined the Black Caps and is expecting to clear the air with his replacement Brendon McCullum.

The Blacks Caps begin their two month series with England with the first of three Twenty20 matches in Auckland on Saturday.

This week’s training was Taylor’s first involvement with the national team since he was dumped as captain following November’s tour to Sri Lanka.

He subsequently opted out of the tour to South Africa, but said he was looking forward to catching up with McCullum.

“[Have we] had a beer? No, I met Brendon this morning so I’m sure we’ll go and meet up over the next couple of days somewhere,” he told APNZ.

He maintained there was no problem between the pair.

“I don’t think there was anything wrong with our relationship in the first place.”

His relationship with coach Mike Hesson is not so strong, and despite one meeting Taylor said it would take time to repair the damage.

“The relationship’s a work in progress, but I’ve got friends in the team and I’m looking forward to playing for them, and obviously playing for management and the country as well.”

He thought he would be welcomed back by his team-mates.

“I can’t speak for anyone else – I can only see what I see myself – but I haven’t seen anything untoward towards myself. And I’ve just been acting like my normal self, so I don’t see anything there.

“It’s been nice to see some fresh faces that I don’t know and have only played against. They’ve brought a new enthusiasm into the team.”

He still expected to take a leadership role in the team.

“I did that when I wasn’t captain so I don’t see any change in that. Regardless of whether you’re a senior player or a junior player, if you’ve got something to offer the team you’d be stupid not to offer it.”